As reported by Kyodo News, the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) Board met to discuss the situation, debating whether to hold the 15-day event behind closed doors or cancel it all together. 

It was agreed to hold the event at Edion Arena Osaka as scheduled from March 8 to 22, but without an audience. 

"To those many who were looking forward to this, we are sorry for this huge inconvenience," said JSA chairman Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi. 

"There were various viewpoints, but there was an absolute desire to hold it for the sake of the fans.

"It's going to be very hard for the wrestlers, but they will need to maintain strong wills."

The meet will be televised on Japanese public broadcaster NHK, but the tournament will be canceled if a wrestler is found to have contracted coronavirus. 

Japan now has more than 900 cases, including at least 700 from a cruise ship which has been quarantined in Yokohama since February 3.

Globally, there are now more than 88,000 confirmed coronavirus cases.

The virus has had a significant impact on qualifiers for this year's Olympics in Tokyo and sparked suggestions the Games may be postponed or cancelled - claims which organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have consistently played down.

Richard Pound, the IOC's most senior member, told the Associated Press this week it did not have to make a decision until late May.

Pound said Tokyo 2020 could be cancelled if the virus is not under control by that time.

In response to Pound's comments, Olympics Minister Seiko Hashimoto dismissed the concerns and reiterated the Games, scheduled to begin with the Opening Ceremony on July 24, would go ahead as planned.